Self-Adhering Knee Pad

ABSTRACT

A membrane serves as the base layer for a knee pad, with a rigid shell being connected to an exterior surface of the membrane and a combination of elastic webbing and a padded layer being connected to an interior surface of the membrane. A user places there knee in the central portion, with their weight causes the elastic webbing to contract and pull a first form fitting brace and second form fitting brace about the sides of the user&#39;s knee. The elastic webbing further serves to help suspend the user&#39;s knee above the rigid shell. The form fitting nature of the present invention, which adheres to the contours of the user&#39;s knee, allows it to remain in place whether the user is kneeling or standing.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/884,608 filed on Sep. 30, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to protective and supportive gear, particularly for the knees. More specifically, the present invention is a self-adhering knee pad that is affixed to the ball of the knee without the need for straps, adhesives, and/or fasteners. An elastic webbing causes side walls of the knee pad collapse inward when pressure is placed on the elastic webbing, forming a snug and comfortable fit. The side walls are released by relieving pressure on the kneepad and the knee pad remains in place on the knee due to the form fitting design.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disorders of the knee are caused by a wide variety of factors ranging from trauma and misalignment to prolonged degeneration brought upon by aging. While physical activity such as sports and rigorous exercise can result in injuries, these injuries are often preventable with proper technique, proper support for the feet and legs, sufficient preparation prior to activity, and sufficient rest following physical activity to allow the body to recover. However, it may not be possible to altogether prevent fatigue, wear, and ultimately, injuries to the knees, particularly if one's occupation and/or profession require extensive kneeling. The problem is exacerbated if one must kneel on a hard surface. For example, an interior designer who is performing flooring work may be required to spend extensive amounts of time kneeling on a hard surface such as a tiled floor. A common solution is to utilize protective knee pads. Knee pads generally incorporate a hard shell with extensive interior padding to provide support for the knees when the wearer must kneel extensively on a hard surface. While conventional knee pads provide sufficient support and protection on hard surfaces, the knee pads often require the use of straps, adhesives, and/or fasteners in order to secure the pads to the knees. As a result, wearing knee pads may result in an uncomfortable experience for the wearer. The present invention seeks to address the aforementioned issues as well as enhance and improve upon conventional protective knee pads in use.

The present invention is a protective knee pad for use when a wearer is required to kneel extensively on hard surfaces. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the knee pad comprises a shell connected to a membrane, with a padded layer and elastic webbing positioned on the interior of the membrane. The shell serves as a supportive base for the knee pad when resting on a hard surface and is sized to entirely encompass the ball of the knee. The exterior surface of the shell comprises a non-slip gripping surface for stability when kneeling on a flat surface. Two flexible, protruding “ears” are present on the left side and right side of the hard shell. The elastic webbing may be located between the shell and the padded or alternatively, the elastic webbing may be embedded within the padded layer. The padded layer provides cushioning for the wearer's knee during use and provides elevation for the wearer's knee, preventing the knee from coming into contact with the shell of the knee pad and with the hard surface on which the wearer is kneeling. The knee pad does not require the use of straps, adhesives, and/or fasteners in order to maintain the pad in position on the wearer's knee. When downward pressure is exerted by the wearer's knee on the knee pad resting on a hard surface, the elastic webbing of the knee pad causes the two ears of the knee pad to collapse inward and around the sides of the wearer's knee. This allows the knee pad to form a fit that matches the wearer's knee, resulting in a snug and comfortable fit without the need for straps, adhesives, and/or fasteners. The form fitting design of the knee pad allows the knee pad to remain snugly in position on the wearer's knee when pressure is relieved from the knee pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the knee pad.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the knee pad.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the knee pad.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the knee pad.

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the knee pad.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the knee pad.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the knee pad.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an embodiment with an elastic webbing positioned between a membrane and a padded layer.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an embodiment with the elastic webbing embedded within the padded layer.

FIG. 10 is a section view showing an embodiment with a non-slip coating for the shell.

FIG. 11 is a section view showing an embodiment with a rubber pad for the shell.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a protective self-adhering knee pad, utilized to cushion a person's knee during extended periods of kneeling on hard surfaces. The present invention reduces the strain experienced during such situations, improving user comfort as compared to kneeling on hard surfaces without any sort of cushioning devices. The present invention comprises a membrane 1 and a shell 2, with the shell 2 being connected to the membrane 1. The shell 2 serves as a barrier that reduces strain induced by a hard surface, while the membrane 1 adapts the shell 2 to a user's body in addition to cushioning the user's body. The present is illustrated from various perspectives as shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 7.

The membrane 1 itself comprises a central portion 11, a first form fitting brace portion 12, a second form fitting brace portion 13, an interior surface 14, and an exterior surface 15. The first form fitting brace portion 12 and the second form fitting brace portion 13 are each adjacently connected to the central portion 11; this positioning allows the brace portions to wrap around the side of a user's leg when the knee is placed upon the central portion 11. The first form fitting brace portion 12 and second form fitting brace portion 13 are positioned opposite each other across the central portion 11, such that they can wrap around opposite sides of the user's leg. In order to fold the brace portions about the user's leg, an elastic webbing 17 is integrated into the membrane 1; more specifically, it is positioned adjacent to the interior surface 14 and connected across the first form fitting brace portion 12, central portion 11, and second form fitting brace portion 13. The elastic webbing 17 serves to dampen the weight of a user's knee, improving ergonomics of the present invention. The elastic webbing 17 is important as the user's weight causes the elastic webbing 17 to contract and thus causes the first form fitting brace portion 12 and second form fitting brace portion 13 to fold about the user's leg. The elastic webbing 17 thus provides a simple and effective means of securing the present invention to the user's leg. To help further cushion the forces imparted upon the user's knee, a padded layer 16 is adjacently connected to the interior surface 14. The padded layer 16, along with the elastic webbing 17, helps disperse the weight of the user, mitigating the discomfort experienced when kneeling directly on a hard surface. The shell 2, which acts as a rigid member that helps to better brace the user's knee against the hard surface, is adjacently connected across the exterior surface 15 of the membrane 1, aligned with the central portion 11. In effect, the interior surface 14 of the membrane 1 serves as an knee-receiving surface, where the elastic webbing 17 and padded layer 16 are positioned to help cushion the user's knee. Conversely, the exterior layer serves as a bracing surface, where the shell 2 is positioned to serve as an intermediate member between the membrane 1 and the hard surface being knelt upon.

Potentially, the padded layer 16 can be made removable to allow the user to replace the padded layer 16. This reduces both waste and user expenses. Rather than having to purchase an entirely new knee brace, the user can simply replace the padded layer 16 as it is worn out from use. The padded layer 16 can be secured through a variety of means, such as snap fasteners or hook-and-loop fasteners. Other fastening means are possible to allow attaching and detaching of the padded layer 16 in an embodiment that provides such a removable padded layer 16.

The first form fitting brace portion 12 and the second form fitting brace portion 13 are flexible, allow them to be switched between an unsecured configuration (e.g. not wrapped around the sides of the user's legs) and a secured configuration. To switch from the unsecured configuration to the secured configuration, the user simply applies force to the elastic webbing 17 by resting their knee upon the interior surface 14, focused on the central portion 11. The resulting weight contracts the elastic webbing 17 and causes the first form fitting brace portion 12 and the second form fitting brace portion 13 to wrap around the sides of the user's knee. The form fitting braces are furthermore contoured to match the ball shape of the user's knee, helping said braces to tightly yet comfortably wrap about the user's knee.

The braces, due to their form fitting nature, allow the self-adhering knee pad to remain secured to the user's knee even when the user is in a standing position. Since the braces and the central portion 11 of the membrane 1 match the contours of the user's knee, friction forces hold the present invention in place. This form fitting nature is an attribute of the present invention that allows it to be implemented sans fasteners. While the central portion 11 of the present invention has a bulbous shape to better receive the user's knee, the rest of the membrane has minimal and gentle curvature, allowing the present invention to be comfortably and securely used in both kneeling and standing positions. The ability to have the present invention remain in place when standing improves usability, as the user does not have to manually reposition the present invention when moving between work areas, e.g. when placing floor tiles.

The shell 2, provided to help brace the user's knee against the hard surface and ultimately reduce stress, is rigid. A rigid construction is desirable as it eliminates flexing of the shell 2 and creates a stable base for the membrane 1 and the user's knee. The shell 2 is aligned with the user's knee; in other words it is centrally positioned on the second surface, such that the user's knee cap is aligned with the center point of the shell 2. This helps increase user comfort and better distributes the weight of the user across the shell 2.

To help prevent undesired movement of the present invention with respect to the hard surface, the shell 2 has non-slip properties. By providing the shell 2 with a high coefficient of friction, a large amount of force is required to move the present invention. This helps to provide a stable base for the user. Due to the non-slip properties, minor shifts and adjustments of the user's body will not generate sufficient force to slide the present invention across the hard surface. Only intentional and deliberate movements will be able to move the present invention across the hard surface.

There are number of ways to impart the desired non-slip property for the shell 2. For example, the non-slip surface could be provided as a non-slip coating 21 that is applied to the shell 2 during manufacture. Another possibility is the implementation of a rubber pad 22, which is integrated into the shell 2 and acts as the non-slip surface. These are just a few examples of how the non-slip surface can be provided, and not meant to limit other means of providing said non-slip surface. Example illustrations of these embodiments are shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

The elastic webbing 17, which dissipates the weight of the user and also causes contraction and wrapping of the brace portions, can be installed in a number of configurations as illustrated in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. In one possible configuration the elastic webbing 17 is directly connected to the interior surface 14, the first form fitting brace portion 12, and the second form fitting brace portion 13, serving as an intermediate layer between the padded layer 16 and the interior surface 14. In another possible configuration, the elastic webbing 17 is directly embedded within the padded layer 16, creating a combined single layer. Both described configurations effectively join the elastic webbing 17 to the first form fitting brace portion 12 and the second form fitting brace portion 13. This connection is integral to the function of the present invention as the elastic webbing 17, when under pressure, contracts and pulls on the flexible arms, resulting in curling of the brace portions around the sides of the user's knee. A number of materials are suitable for the elastic webbing 17. In the described embodiment the elastic webbing 17 is made from nylon but in other embodiments alternative materials may be used, as long as said materials are capable of supporting the user's knee and contracting the first form fitting brace portion 12 and the second form fitting brace portion 13.

The combination of the elastic webbing 17 and the padded layer 16 provide a soft and comfortable support for the user's knee. The padded layer 16 has deforms under the weight of the knee, cushioning the knee against would otherwise be a hard and uncomfortable surface. The elastic webbing 17, which can be abstractly thought of as a type of spring, absorbs some of the force of the user's knee. The weight of the knee is dispersed and stored within the lattice formed by the elastic webbing 17. Furthermore, as referenced elsewhere, the elastic webbing 17 helps to suspend the knee above the shell 2 and hard surface. In essence, the elastic webbing 17 acts as a suspension system for the user's knee. The combination of the elastic webbing 17 and shell 2 greatly helps to reduce the impact of long term kneeling.

To better accommodate the shape of a user's knee, specific contours and shapes can be used as part of the present invention. Because of the round shape of a user's knee, which is even more pronounced when kneeling, the interior surface 14 can be made concave to create a form-fitting area that receives the user's knee. Correspondingly, the exterior surface 15 can be given a convex shape that allows a user to make minor shifts (e.g. rocking forwards or backwards slightly) while still providing an effective bracing component that reduces strain.

It is noted that the combination of the elastic webbing 17, first form fitting brace portion 12, and second form fitting brace portion 13 is greatly beneficial for the present invention. These components allow the present invention to be affixed around the ball of the user's knee without requiring the use of straps, adhesives, or other external fastening mechanisms. The present invention automatically secures itself to the user's knee as the weight of the knee presses upon the elastic webbing 17 and causes the brace portions to collapse inward. The results is a snug and comfortable fit, achieved sans external fastening mechanisms.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-adhering knee pad comprises: a membrane; a elastic webbing; the membrane comprises a central portion, a first form fitting brace portion, a second form fitting brace portion, an interior surface, and an exterior surface; the first form fitting brace portion being adjacently connected to the central portion; the second form fitting brace portion being adjacently connected to the central portion; the first form fitting brace portion being positioned opposite the second form fitting brace portion across the central portion; a padded layer being adjacently connected across the interior surface; the elastic webbing being positioned adjacent to the interior surface; the elastic webbing being connected across the first form fitting brace portion, the central portion, and the second form fitting brace portion; a shell; and the shell being connected across the second surface adjacent to the central portion.
 2. The self-adhering knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the shell being rigid.
 3. The self-adhering knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a non-slip coating; the non-slip coating being applied to the shell; and the non-slip coating being positioned opposite the exterior surface through the shell.
 4. The self-adhering knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises: a rubber pad; the rubber pad being adjacently mounted to the shell; and the rubber pad being positioned opposite the exterior surface through the shell.
 5. The self-adhering knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the elastic webbing being positioned between the interior surface and the padded layer.
 6. The self-adhering knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the elastic webbing being embedded within the padded layer.
 7. The self-adhering knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the interior surface being concave.
 8. The self-adhering knee pad as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the exterior surface being convex.
 9. A self-adhering knee pad comprises: a membrane; a elastic webbing; the membrane comprises a central portion, a first form fitting brace portion, a second form fitting brace portion, an interior surface, and an exterior surface; the first form fitting brace portion being adjacently connected to the central portion; the second form fitting brace portion being adjacently connected to the central portion; the first form fitting brace portion being positioned opposite the second form fitting brace portion across the central portion; a padded layer being adjacently connected across the interior surface; the elastic webbing being positioned adjacent to the interior surface; the elastic webbing being connected across the first form fitting brace portion, the central portion, and the second form fitting brace portion; the interior surface being concave; the exterior surface being convex; a shell; the shell being connected across the second surface adjacent to the central portion; and the shell being rigid.
 10. The self-adhering knee pad as claimed in claim 9 comprises: a non-slip coating; the non-slip coating being applied to the shell; and the non-slip coating being positioned opposite the exterior surface through the shell.
 11. The self-adhering knee pad as claimed in claim 9 comprises: a rubber pad; the rubber pad being adjacently mounted to the shell; and the rubber pad being positioned opposite the exterior surface through the shell.
 12. The self-adhering knee pad as claimed in claim 9 comprises: the elastic webbing being positioned between the interior surface and the padded layer.
 13. The self-adhering knee pad as claimed in claim 9 comprises: the elastic webbing being embedded within the padded layer. 